By Ron Lane
It’s that time of the year when members of Noosa Little Athletics Association will sign on for yet another season. The sign on dates of 18 and 25th August and the 15th September, will be held at Girraween Sports Complex from 1pm till 4pm.
Once again team managers, secretaries and coaches, are reminded to diarize that the famous annual Noosa Gift will be held on the 25 th November this year. This will be the tenth anniversary of this event and organizers will be doing everything in their power to make it a day to remember. Previous years athletes have come from all over the state and clubs in the Northern NSW. Region, thus ensuring a high standard of competition.
To upgrade the program for junior competitors Val Hooper long serving administrator said, “This year we are coming up with a new format of events which will be for juniors. The idea of this is to create a new pathway into the senior ranks and thus hopefully encourage them to continue the sport of Track and Field. We are doing everything possible to encourage the youth of our community along the pathway of their chosen sport.”
‘’Another important carnival,” said Head Coach Mick Hooper, “will be held end of August; this is the Regional School Championships. This event will take place at the Sunshine Coast University with all local school competing.” Also September 20 will be the first night of competition for the Little Athletics Season and the club is hoping for a good attendance.
Good news at last for Zane Branco one of Noosas top competitors. For several months Zane has been carrying a groin injury which resulted in his missing the World University Games in Italy and following this the Oceanic Games. Zane’s specialty is the 200 mts and with an outstanding P.B. (Personal Best) of 26.8 it would have seen him as a possible finalist in Italy and a possible gold medalist at the Oceanic Games. “Last week the University Hospital, gave Zane a clearance to start full training,” said Coach Hooper, “now it’s time for some very serious work”
For the junior members of the Noosa Net Ball Association, last weekend saw them contest their preliminary finals for the 11to 16 age group, with their grand finals to be held this weekend. This will be seasons end for the juniors, but the Ladies Season 2, will commence and go through till their Grand Finals at the end of November. However the big occasion for the Net Ball people will be the start of October, when the new concept of Walking Net Ball, the game which will cater for ladies of all ages and capabilities (those past the age of the fast running game) will be introduced. We wish them well.
Members of the Cooroy Impact Amateur Boxing Academy are also in the championship season. Eight members will travel to Acacia Ridge Brisbane to contest the Australian Golden Gloves which will be held this weekend. Highlight of the titles will be a bout between the 14 yr. old Impact sensation Paige Robinson and an opponent from West Australia. “We have to fly opponents into Queensland to fight Paige because there is no one in the state who will fight her,” said Coach Evans. Good luck to this young lady.
